Method and device for detecting a tensile force exerted while pulling a pipe or line during installation

Abstract

A method for capturing a tensile force exerted during the pulling of a pipe or line during installation, includes capturing a strain on the pipe or line via one or more sensors arranged on the pipe or line. Multiple strain sensors may be arranged such that they are offset at various angles across the circumference of the element being installed. One or more sensors may be mounted to a towing head for pulling the pipe or the line during installation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for detecting a tensile force exerted on a pipe or a pipeline while pulling the pipe or the pipeline during installation, comprising:
 detecting a strain on the pipe or the pipeline by one or more sensors, at least one of the one or more sensors having an end mounted to a towing head and an other end mounted to the pipe or the pipeline. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the other end of the one of the one or more sensors being mounted to the pipe or the pipeline comprises the other end being bonded or mechanically coupled to the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the end of the one of the one or more sensors being mounted to the towing head, which is used to pull the pipe or the pipeline during installation, comprises the end being bonded or mechanically coupled to the towing head so as to detect strain between the towing head and the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature in the area of the one or more sensors is detected. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a plurality of circumferentially distributed sensors configured to detect a strain on the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one of the one or more sensors comprise a strain sensor, wherein an end of the strain sensor is bonded or mechanically coupled to the towing head. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the other end of the strain sensor is mounted to the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one of the one or more sensors comprise a strain sensor, and wherein the other end of the strain sensor is bonded or mechanically coupled to an interior wall of the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       9. A device for detecting a tensile force exerted on a pipe or a pipeline while pulling the pipe or the pipeline with a towing head of a pulling device during installation, wherein the device includes a strain sensor having an end mounted to the towing head and an other end mounted to the pipe or the pipeline for detecting the strain on the pipe or the pipeline, wherein the strain sensor is connected to a recording device, and/or the strain sensor is connected to allow for the wireless communication of signals. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the end of the strain sensor being mounted to the towing head used to pull the pipe or the pipeline during installation, comprises the end being bonded or mechanically coupled to the towing head so as to detect strain between the towing head and the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein a temperature sensor is arranged at the towing head adjacent to the sensor. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the strain sensor includes a bar at one of its ends, which is designed such that it can be mounted to an interior wall of the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the other end of the strain sensor being mounted to the pipe or the pipeline comprises the other end of the strain sensor being bonded or mechanically coupled to a wall of the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the end of the strain sensor being mounted to the towing head comprises the end of the strain sensor being bonded or mechanically coupled to the towing head. 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the wall is an interior wall of the pipe or the pipeline. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the other end of the strain sensor being mounted to the pipe or the pipeline comprises the other end of the strain sensor being mounted to an interior wall of the pipe or the pipeline.